Page 16 - The Game November 2006

16 The Game, November 2006 Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper
Martin Beals is Back
Martin Beals, Doctor of Acupuncture
Life was good for Martin Beals. It was the start of a new millennium and he was enjoying life to the fullest. After completing many years of training Martin’s Acupuncture practice was doing well both with his human patients and his equine patients.
However fate was about to change his life forever.
February 21, 2002, while driving in Brampton, Martin Beals was involved in a head on collision with an automotive carrier. The impact with the heavy load tractor trailer literally crushed him inside of his vehicle.
Lucky to be alive, Martin spent the first six months after the accident in a coma while doctors operated to fix his crushed spine. When Martin awoke he was temporarily paralysed and blind and
having repeated strokes.
With sheer determination and a strict
physiotherapy regime, Martin Beals is now back practicing Acupuncture, and returned to the racetrack in August, 2006.
“Everybody has welcomed me back.” said the personable 38 year old, “Even people that I didn’t really know very well.”
Martin Beals was born in Montreal from family roots that stem from Nova Scotia and Trinidad. He grew up in Quebec before moving to Sudbury, Ontario to attend Laurentian University where he studied French and Kineisiology, which is the study of human kinetics, the study of movement. He had always wanted to be a doctor.
He “fell into” acupuncture while doing martial arts in Toronto, where he was living after c ompleting University. His instructor’s brother was a Doctor of Acupuncture and whenever Martin was injured, the acupuncture treat- ments would have him back doing his routines within a
few days. Acupuncture is
an ideal treatment for muscle injuries or sore and fatigued muscles.
“The improvement is almost immediate,” says Martin, “chronic cases may take some time however most cases, 3 treatments is all it takes.”
Martin would spend the next four years studying human acupuncture at the school of Dr. David Lam in Toronto and upon completion he opened his own practice in Mississauga.
In 2000 Martin was asked to try acupuncture on a horse at Woodbine racetrack and even though he is allergic to horses and has to wear a surgical mask when working around them, the results of his treatment were so successful that he decided to make the equine breed part of his clientele.
His equine business was growing steadily until the accident.
During the years he spent recovering, Martin says he was a “professional student” returning to school to study English as well as the finer techniques of Acupuncture along with Chinese Medicine.
Now back at the racetrack, Martin is continuing where he left off and says that he usually offers to treat the “human” trainers so they can experience what their horses will experience from the acupuncture treatments.
Martin makes it very clear that he works with a team approach involving both the veterinarians and the trainers by providing reports and communication on the treatments and the results.
The acupuncture treatment involves
the traditional sterilized, one time use needles as well as a T.E.N.S. Machine which is a form of electrical acupuncture providing the same effect of the needles without penetrating the skin.
The first treatment involves finding the sore spots on the horse or the “Ashi points” which in Chinese translates into “awww you got it”. Martin marks the sore points with chalk and then consults with the trainer and veterinarian before treatment.
With his equine business back in full swing, Martin, who is engaged to be married to his fiance Olive on August 24, 2007, is grateful that he is once again able to help the horses.
“Everyone has been very supportive.” said Martin in a moment of sincere emotion, “I really want to thank all the people that have helped me get back.”
Martin Beals, Doctor of Acupuncture can be reached by calling 416-417-3441.
Red Oak Training Centre
• Consideration given to Multiple Bookings
• Customized Programs • Trainer Les Baker -
Over 40 Years of Experience
Located One Hour from Woodbine
Call Today for More Information
905-473-6584
Training Rate $40/day Lay-Up Rate $20/day
HBPA Backstretch
Children’s Christmas Party
Santa is expected to make a visit with a sack full of presents for all the good boys & girls
Fort Erie:
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Crystal Ridge Community Center
99 Ridge Road, Ridgeway
12noon - 3pm
Tickets available at Fort Erie HBPA Office until Friday, November 11
Woodbine:
Monday, November 27 Woodbine Backstretch Kitchen 5pm - 8pm
Register at the Woodbine HBPA Backstretch office
before November 21
To attend you
must have a
valid ORC license.
The parties are restricted to immediate family only.
Barn 9 Receives Fire Safety Award
Bob Webb (second from left), Woodbine Entertainment Group’s Manager of Fire Safety, presented Barn 9 with this year’s Fire Safety Excellence Award. Barn 9 is home to trainers Vito Armata and his staff, Trainer Stephen Edwards and his staff and Trainer Brian Lynch and his staff. Bob admits that the majority of the barns on the backstretch adhere and respect the fire safety and prevention protocol and it is difficult to choose just one barn.
This is the third year for the award which looks at the criteria of proper storage of hay and straw; maintaining cleanliness in the shed rows; proper use and storage of electrical cords and compliance of the smoking rules among other factors of consideration.
Equipus Racing Stable
Diana Feuerhelm Thoroughbred Trainer
403-463-7980 • Olds, Alberta geo_diana@hotmail.com
• 2006 Yearling Breaking
• Post Racing Re-Sale • 2-yr-olds in Training For Sale
STATE OF THE ART FACILITIES:
• 1/2 Mile Track • 2 Indoor Arenas • Outdoor Arena • 67 Box Stalls • On-Site Vet & Farrier
$800/month including Board plus Stalls available for outside trainers